Wells Fargo Bank and Bicycle Racks

The manager at this branch, 0018204 801 Walnut St Des Moines, Iowa, claims that bicycle parking attracts "unwanted people."

We live in an age where people are trying to correct the mistakes of previous generations.  An age when the high crimes and felonies committed by corporations are not longer tolerated.  A Time when taking care of our planet is increasingly becoming a priority.  People are becoming upset with the status quo and are taking action.  Yet there are some that do not care and scoff at those that do.  One such individual is the bank manager at the newly relocated branch of Wells Fargo at 801 Walnut St, Des Moines, Iowa, Branch 0018204.

My wife and I ride our bicycles to work year round.  We both live within 3 miles of our respected places of employment thus a 15 minute ride in the worst of times.  Not only does this give us a modicum of exercise, better parking, less consumption of resources and two less climate changers on the streets it is better for our vehicles.  Car trips less than a half an hour are bad for vehicles since they do not have time to properly warm up and eliminate all the moisture in the exhaust system.  But that is not the point.  Less wear and tear on the car and the planet.  There is no need for most people to drive if they live close to their job.

At least there are trees and poles to lock a bicycle to.

On Friday November 15. 2019, Mary stopped at our local Wells Fargo for some banking needs after work.  There are no bicycle racks at the 801 location.  There were at the old location.  There are at the Ingersoll Ave branch and there are at US Bank on 6th.  She either has to lock her bike up to a tree or bring it inside.

The former location had bicycle racks.

Upon seeing the bank manager, Mary innocently asked if they were planning to install bicycle parking at this branch.  The response was one the most rude, arrogant and unprofessional as someone in that position could ever give without using profanities.  It the the face of evil corporations, the type that Democratic Presidential candidates warn people about in political adverts.   He laughed and walked away.  Then he stopped and turned around and said that they would not be installing bicycle racks because they attract  "unwanted people."  I suppose these are people that they cannot issued fake accounts and other scams.  I guess we are unwanted.

So I tweeted this experience.  Guess what?  Wells Fargo has people that watch social media looking for such burning embers.  I got a response within minutes asking for details and promising to get back to me after a review.

I have no expectations.  Business as usual.  Time for a new bank or credit union.  But an apology and the installation of the Mary Guevara Bicycle Rack in front of the bank would go a long way.

Plenty of room for bicycle parking at the new location.